Heat-Related Illnesses (Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke)

What are heat-related illnesses?

Exposure to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluid intake can cause various types of heat-related illness. Children and teens adjust more slowly than adults do to changes in environmental heat. They also produce more heat with activity than adults, and sweat less. Sweating is one of the ways the body cools itself. Children and teens often don't think to rest when having fun and may not drink enough fluids when playing, exercising, or participating in sports.

Children and teens with chronic health problems, or those who take certain medicines, may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Children and teens who are overweight or wear heavy clothing during exertion, such as marching band or football uniforms, are also more susceptible.

Heat related illness can occur in two ways, exertional and non-exertional. Exertional heat illness occurs when your child exerts themselves in a hot environment, such as practicing football on a hot day without any breaks. Non-exertional heat stroke occurs when a child is trapped in a hot environment. Examples of this would be an infant left in a car on a summer day, or a child with disabilities left in a hot apartment without access to water.

Heat-related illness includes the following conditions based on the severity of a child's condition:

Heat cramps

Heat exhaustion

Heat stroke

What are heat cramps?

Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat illness and consist of painful muscle cramps and spasms that occur during or after intense exercise and sweating in high heat.

What is heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is more severe than heat cramps and results from a loss of water and salt in the body. It occurs in conditions of extreme heat and excessive sweating without adequate fluid and salt replacement. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself properly and, if left untreated, can progress to heat stroke.

What is heat stroke?

Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, occurs when the body's heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms and first-aid measures for heat injuries

The following chart contains the most common symptoms of heat-related illness. Specific treatment will be determined by your child's doctor and may include some, or more, of the following:

Condition

Symptoms

First-aid and treatment

Heat cramps

Painful cramps, especially in the legs

Flushed, moist skin

Move to a cool place and rest. Don't continue the activity.

Remove excess clothing and place cool cloths on skin; fan skin.

Give cool sports drinks containing salt and sugar.

Stretch cramped muscles slowly and gently.

Heat exhaustion

Muscle cramps

Pale, moist skin

Usually has a fever over 100.4° F (or 34° C)

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Headache

Fatigue

Weakness

Anxiety, and faint feeling

Move to a cool place and rest.

Remove excess clothing and place cool cloths on skin; fan skin.

Give cool sports drinks containing salt and sugar.

If no improvement or unable to take fluids, take your child to an emergency room immediately. IV (intravenous) fluids may be needed.

Heat stroke

Warm, dry skin

High fever, usually over 104° F (or 40° C)

Rapid heart rate

Loss of appetite

Nausea

Vomiting

Headache

Fatigue

Confusion

Agitation

Lethargy

Stupor

Seizures, coma, and death are possible

Move to a cool place and rest.

Call 911 or your local emergency medical service. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and needs to be treated by a doctor.

Remove excess clothing and drench skin with cool water; fan skin.

Place ice bags on the armpits and groin areas.

Offer cool fluids if alert and able to drink.

How can heat stroke be prevented?

Some general guidelines to help protect your child from heat-related illnesses include the following:

Don't leave children unattended in a car. Even if the windows are cracked open. This is a leading cause of infant death from heat illness in the U.S.

Drink plenty of fluids during vigorous or outdoor activities (including sunbathing), especially on hot days. Drinks of choice include water and sports drinks. Don't drink alcohol or fluids with caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and cola. These can lead to dehydration.